Star Wars: India Shoots Down a Satellite with a Missile

[shadowkin + 584]

In a message to China and Pakistan, India shot down a satellite with a missile today. This gives the India the capability to cut off communications, intelligence and early warning systems of adversaries.

India joins the US, Russia, and China as the only countries to do this.

The Chinese issued their usual statement wishing all countries “can earnestly protect 
lasting peace and tranquility in space”

Pakistan, “common heritage of mankind and every nation has the responsibility to avoid actions which can lead to the militarization of this arena

[Boat + 1,323]

Supersonic missiles have made conventional warfare obsolete yet countries around the world invest in these sitting ducks.

Edited March 27, 2019 by Boat
Bad auto correct

[shadowkin + 584]

1 hour ago, Boat said:

Supersonic missiles have made conventional warfare obsolete yet countries around the world invest in these sitting ducks.

I wouldn't say obsolete but less important than it used to be. It is now one of many tools used by states instead of the main tool.

[Guillaume Albasini + 851]

It's very stupid to do this kind of test creating a lot of space debris.

In 2007 the  Chinese military used a ground-based missile to hit and destroy an aging weather satellite orbiting more than 500 miles (805 kilometers) in space. The anti-satellite test created more than 100,000 pieces of debris orbiting the planet, with about 2,600 of them more than 4 inches (10 centimeters) across, according to a NASA estimate.

Even if the Indian test was done at a lower altitude to minimize debris it will still generate a lot of space junk potentially dangerous for the existing satellites or the astronauts in orbit.

[shadowkin + 584]

Yes it was at lower altitude so most debris should fall back to Earth. Chinese were reckless when they did it, acting like drunken sailors spreading debris everywhere.

Edited March 28, 2019 by shadowkin